Cheryl Carter, from Chelmsford, was quizzed by prosecutor Andrew Edis QC at the Old Bailey about her alleged involvement in the scandal as the phone hacking hearing continues.

The 49-year-old, who pleaded not guilty to a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice charge, is accused of removing potential evidence in seven boxes labelled as her boss's old notebooks stored in the NI archive in July 2011.

Carter claims she first knew of the police investigation on July 4, 2011, when news broke of Milly Dowler's phone emerged.

However, Mr Edis pointed out the earlier arrests of News Of The World staff and Brooks' belief she would be arrested, before saying to Carter: "I'm going to suggest to you that cannot possibly be true."

Carter response to this claim by Mr Edis was: "I'm saying that is the truth."

For 20 years Carter acted as Brooks' PA as the journalist rose through the ranks of News International before her eventual resignation on July 15, 2011.

Mr Edis also asked Carter about an earlier email she was copied into about a meeting with lawyers.

When asked about her knowledge of the police investigation, Carter told the courtroom: "Of course I can see I have booked in meetings with lawyers but I had no idea about it at all."

Mr Edis then said: "It's simply a lie to suggest you did not know."

Carter replied: "It's not. I just booked in the meeting. I had no idea."